"The Tikis," Monterey Park, CA - Locating Tiki

K kenposurf Member Joined: Aug 14, 2008 Posts: 30	K kenposurf Posted posted on Fri, Aug 29, 2008 4:55 PM On 2003-07-31 00:34, procinema29 wrote: Name:"The Tikis," Monterey Park, CA Type:restaurant Street:Potrero Grande City:Monterey Park State:CA Zip:91755 country:USA Phone: Status:defunct Description: Hi Tiki Fans, I need your help--your Tiki Help! Here’s the situation in a nutshell: I’m writing numerous Tiki-enthusiasts on the web with a special request. You may perhaps know of a now-defunct Tiki Restaurant (created by Danny Balsz) known as “The Tikis,” which was located on Potrero Grande Blvd. in Monterey Park, California. It was closed sometime in the mid-70’s, and is, from what I understand, well documented in Sven Kirsten’s “The Book of Tiki.” I grew up in Monterey Park in the 70’s, not far away from this place--in fact, the club was situated at the bottom of the hill I lived on. But you couldn’t see much of it from the top of the hill. I do have memories of hearing the drums from the restaurant pounding away into the night each weekend. Apparently, they had some hot and cookin' nights down there! I was too young to visit the place, and, honestly, at the time I was not interested in such things. Since then I’ve developed a great fondness for Tiki culture, and now have a nagging desire to know what this restaurant looked like, as I never got a good look at it. I’d love to see a picture or two of the place, if anyone has something like that! Pictures of other Tiki clubs are readily accessible on the net, but not pictures of this one. Mr. Kirsten’s book is out of print and somewhat difficult to get hold of; I did actually write Mr. Kirsten, but unfortunately he was out of town on business, and unable to help. (A new printing of the book is forthcoming, but when that will be is unknown.) If you have a photo lying around that you have scanned, or a scan of a magazine photo or something, would you do me a big favor and email it to me? I would be very, very appreciative. Anything at all, even something low-res, would be verily cool. Thanking you for your time and attention... Most sincerely, Rodd Matsui http://www.progressivecinema.com [email protected] Good luck with this project Rodd. I spent my teenage and early 20's in Monterey Park..great waterfall and mid century modern houses up around De Lafuente (sp)..wonder if the stilt houses are still there? [ Edited by: procinema29 on 2003-07-31 00:40 ] [ Edited by: procinema29 on 2003-07-31 00:41 ]

On 2003-07-31 00:34, procinema29 wrote:
Name:"The Tikis," Monterey Park, CA
Type:restaurant
Street:Potrero Grande
City:Monterey Park
State:CA
Zip:91755
country:USA
Phone:
Status:defunct

Description:
Hi Tiki Fans,

I need your help--your Tiki Help!

Here’s the situation in a nutshell: I’m writing numerous Tiki-enthusiasts on the web with a special request. You may perhaps know of a now-defunct Tiki Restaurant (created by Danny Balsz) known as “The Tikis,” which was located on Potrero Grande Blvd. in Monterey Park, California. It was closed sometime in the mid-70’s, and is, from what I understand, well documented in Sven Kirsten’s “The Book of Tiki.”

I grew up in Monterey Park in the 70’s, not far away from this place--in fact, the club was situated at the bottom of the hill I lived on. But you couldn’t see much of it from the top of the hill. I do have memories of hearing the drums from the restaurant pounding away into the night each weekend. Apparently, they had some hot and cookin' nights down there! I was too young to visit the place, and, honestly, at the time I was not interested in such things. Since then I’ve developed a great fondness for Tiki culture, and now have a nagging desire to know what this restaurant looked like, as I never got a good look at it. I’d love to see a picture or two of the place, if anyone has something like that!

Pictures of other Tiki clubs are readily accessible on the net, but not pictures of this one. Mr. Kirsten’s book is out of print and somewhat difficult to get hold of; I did actually write Mr. Kirsten, but unfortunately he was out of town on business, and unable to help. (A new printing of the book is forthcoming, but when that will be is unknown.)

If you have a photo lying around that you have scanned, or a scan of a magazine photo or something, would you do me a big favor and email it to me? I would be very, very appreciative. Anything at all, even something low-res, would be verily cool.

Thanking you for your time and attention...

Most sincerely,

Rodd Matsui
http://www.progressivecinema.com
[email protected]

Good luck with this project Rodd. I spent my teenage and early 20's in Monterey Park..great waterfall and mid century modern houses up around De Lafuente (sp)..wonder if the stilt houses are still there?

[ Edited by: procinema29 on 2003-07-31 00:40 ]

[ Edited by: procinema29 on 2003-07-31 00:41 ]

Post #404948 by kenposurf on Fri, Aug 29, 2008 4:55 PM